All posts by h716a5.icu

Journalist Ben Jacobs has claimed that Newcastle United could be in with a chance of signing Cristiano Ronaldo on loan if Al-Nassr cover his wages.

What's the latest news on Cristiano Ronaldo and NUFC?

With Champions League football potentially on the cards for the Magpies next term, there have been plenty of exciting rumours about how could join the Premier League side in the summer.

Manager Eddie Howe actually played down talk that Ronaldo or Neymar could be joining his team, telling BBC Sport: "We could not be able to come close to affording those players."

However, as explained by Jones while speaking on NUFC Matters, Newcastle may not actually have to pay the 38-year-old's wages.

The insider explained (12:49): "If, and now we're just speculating, it ever happened, it would in likelihood be a loan from Al-Nasir, funded by our Al-Nassr.

"And this is where there is a genuine opportunity potentially for a suitor, if it's green, lighted by both Al-Nassr and the wider partners funding that particular deal at the moment.

"Because Ronaldo could be loaned somewhere with Al-Nassr picking up the bill. But the only reason why Al-Nassr would pick up the bill is because they're not really paying the bill. It's wider partners within Saudi Arabia that are funding this.”

Is Ronaldo going to be at Newcastle next season?

Now it might seem odd that those connected with Al-Nassr would be happy to pay for Ronaldo to go on loan. But his very connection to football in Saudi Arabia is no doubt great for publicity.

However, for the time being, it sounds as though he's not particularly happy, with reports in Spain claiming that he is already thinking about quitting the Saudi Pro League (via El Nacional).

Despite this, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club, estimated to be worth $75m (£59m) a year, back in December.

With that being the case, he might not be able to leave permanently but if he could technically remain an Al-Nassr while being shipped out to Newcastle, which could be a decent compromise for all parties – especially if Ronaldo had the intention of eventually returning after the loan.

What's more, the Magpies would be an obvious destination due to their own links to Saudi Arabia, as they are owned by the country's sovereign wealth fund PIF.

And so, all in all, it sounds as though Newcastle could land the £3.4m-p/w star while not having to worry too much about actually paying those wages.

Crystal Palace and Dougie Freedman are hoping to beat Aston Villa to the signing of Lyon striker Moussa Dembele this summer, according to a fresh transfer rumour.

Could Dembele leave Lyon?

The £52,000-a-week attacker has had a fairly quiet season for his current club, having been more of a key man in previous campaigns, with only three goals coming his way in Ligue 1. That's in a total of 23 appearances, although only eight of those have been from the starting lineup.

Dembele is out of contract once the current campaign reaches its conclusion, and given his lack of playing time at Lyon, it seems unlikely that an extension will be coming his way. That means that he would be allowed to leave on a free transfer, with a number of clubs potentially interested in signing club.

Palace are certainly going to be on the lookout for a new striker in the summer window, considering Odsonne Edouard and Jean-Philippe Mateta have scored just six Premier League goals between them this season, and it could be that they turn to Dembele as a potential option.

Are Palace in the hunt to sign Dembele?

According to Football Insider, Palace chiefs are "interested" in making a move for the Frenchman at the end of the season, with a new striker considered a "top priority" by them. Freedman and Steve Parish think he's the "perfect candidate" to come in and bolster the Eagles' attacking options, and they are believed to be "preparing a contract offer".

That being said, they face stiff competition from a Villa side flying high under Unai Emery currently, so it may not be easy to get their man, considering the Midlands club could promise Dembele European football next season.

The former Celtic striker could be a great addition if Palace get a deal over the line this season, possessing the kind of end product lacking in Edouard and Mateta's game, despite his slow season this time around.

He has scored 70 goals in 172 appearances for Lyon, which highlights what a good addition he has been overall, while at Celtic, he netted 51 times in 94 outings. He was once a bit of a wonderkid, hailed as "one of the top young talents in Europe" by Hoops teammate Leigh Griffiths, showing the talent that he has always possessed, and at 26 he still has plenty of years ahead of him to grow into that potential for Palace, leading the line and linking with the likes of Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

Ian Bell’s excellent 67 steered the Birmingham Bears to a thrilling four wicket victory off the final ball of the NatWest Blast T20 match against the Derbyshire Falcons at Derby

ECB Reporters Network17-Jun-2016
ScorecardIan Bell set up a last-ball victory•Getty ImagesIan Bell’s excellent 67 steered the Birmingham Bears to a thrilling four wicket victory off the final ball of the NatWest Blast T20 match against the Derbyshire Falcons at Derby.The Bears appeared to be coasting in pursuit of the Falcons 141 for 7 when Bell was leading the chase but his dismissal in the 19th over left the game in the balance and it needed a four from Ateeq Javid off the last ball to deny the home side.Derbyshire’s new head coach John Sadler, whose appointment for the rest of the season was confirmed before the game, said: “It’s disappointing but that’s T20 cricket and we did well to get back in the game.”Former Derbyshire captain Rikki Clarke had taken 2 for 17 off four overs as the Falcons struggled in the first part of their innings before Wayne Madsen with 38 from 34 balls and some late blows from Shiv Thakor took them to a challenging score on a slow pitch.The Falcons innings began with Clarke striking Billy Godleman on the helmet with the first ball before the opener pulled Oliver Hannon-Dolby to deep midwicket.John Sadler, Derbyshire head coach•Getty ImagesChesney Hughes pulled Clarke for six but two balls later drove low to mid off where Bell took a good catch and Clarke struck again when Neil Broom top-edged a pull to cover in the fifth over.The accuracy of the Bears attack restricted the Falcons to 58 for 3 at the halfway point and Madsen responded by lifting Jetan Patel over midwicket for six before pulling Mark Adair just past the diving Chris Woakes for four.Madsen dispatched another short ball from Patel for six but Hamish Rutherford was lbw in the same over for 33 from 31 balls when he tried to work the off-spinner behind square.Adair ended Madsen’s innings when a top-edged pull landed in the gloves of Luke Ronchi and although Jimmy Neesham drove the next ball high into the stands, he edged a drive in the next over and was well caught by Ronchi diving low to his left.Thakor gave the innings a late flourish by pulling Hannon-Dolby and Woakes for sixes in an unbeaten 20 from 13 balls as 26 came from the last two overs to give the Falcons a respectable total.But Bell and Sam Hain gave the Bears an excellent start by taking 44 from the first five overs with Bell taking three fours off consecutive balls from Thakor.Bell drove Matt Critchley over long on for six but the leg-spinner struck three balls later when Hain sliced a drive to cover although after 10 overs, the Bears were well placed at 73 for 1.Alex Hughes should have removed Bell on 42 but Broom at deep midwicket spilled the catch diving forward and he completed his 50 from 39 balls before Laurie Evans became the latest batsman to top-edge a pull.Bell drove Andy Carter for six but Ronchi drove Alex Hughes to long off in the 18th over and Bell holed out to long on in the next to give the Falcons a chance of victory with the Bears needingAaron Thomason scooped Neesham to square leg and although the next ball shot through for four byes, Woakes was run out going for a second off the penultimate ball but Javid’s drive beat the bowler’s despairing dive to clinch victory.

Glasgow Rangers are in the market for a new striker this summer, and Michael Beale has reportedly made a bid for Haji Wright ahead of the transfer window.

What’s the latest on Haji Wright to Rangers?

According to Turkish journalist Salim Manav, Rangers “made a transfer offer” of £7m for the Antalyaspor striker, however, it was rejected as the team are currently holding out for a fee in the region of £8.5m.

It remains to be seen whether the Ibrox side will go back in with a new and improved offer, but with Alfredo Morelos leaving and Antonio Colak potentially set to leave the Light Blues after one season, then Beale will be desperate to secure another striker ahead of next season.

Who will replace Alfredo Morelos at Rangers?

The departing Colombian striker has left behind an endearing legacy at Rangers which has seen him score 124 goals for the club, win a Premiership title and Scottish Cup while becoming the club’s all-time top scorer in European competition, and he will be tough to replace.

It wasn’t only his goals which made Morelos frightening, but his ability to hold up the ball and bully defenders meant he gave Rangers much more than just a simple goal threat, and it will take someone special to become his successor.

Wright could be the ideal player for this role, especially given his stunning form in Turkey this season. He has scored 16 goals and registered three assists in just 26 appearances this term, and considering Morelos has only netted 12 goals in 44 matches, the Gers may be onto a winner with the 25-year-old.

What's more, Wright also has more shots on target per game (1.1 to 1), more successful dribbles (1.1 to 0.3) and scores more goals per game (0.6 to 0.4) than the Rangers striker, suggesting that he could even be an upgrade for 2023/24.

It’s no wonder he has been described as a “dangerous striker” former Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt, and there is no reason to doubt that he couldn’t shine in Scotland with such a goalscoring record.

The American also has experience at the highest level, representing his nation at the World Cup in Qatar last year, playing in all four matches for the USA, where he scored a bizarre goal against the Netherlands in the last 16.

Strengthening Rangers' attacking options will be paramount for Beale this summer, and Wright could well be a worthwhile addition to the first-team squad.

Nearly 10 years have slipped by while Alastair Cook has been a permanent fixture at the top of England’s order in home Tests. In his temporary absence at Lord’s because of a bruised knee, England had an unnerving vision of the future

The Report by David Hopps11-Jun-2016
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details4:34

WATCH – Highlights of the third day’s play

Nearly 10 years have slipped by while Alastair Cook has been a permanent fixture at the top of England’s order in home Tests. His absence at Lord’s was only temporary, the result of a hospital scan on a bruised knee, but in that time England had an unnerving vision of the future as Sri Lanka made them sweat in the final Investec Test.Four down by the close of the third day, England still held a healthy lead of 237, with six wickets – Cook included – and remain overwhelming favourites to win but shorn of his presence for the first time on these shores since Marcus Trescothick and Andrew Strauss opened against Pakistan at The Oval in 2006, their shortcomings were stripped bare.There was another failure for Nick Compton, moved up from No. 3 to fill an emergency opener’s role, that will surely end the second phase of his Test career, his footwork again leaden as Shaminda Eranga brought one down the slope to have him caught at the wicket. There was a first-ball duck, too, for James Vince, who has failed to secure a maiden Test half-century in this series, and who naively left a delivery from Nuwan Pradeep which skipped back down the hill to hit his off stump. So far he has been a player of style rather than substance.”No thoughts of retirement for a while yet” will be England’s exhortation to Cook, a CBE freshly to his name in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. With Pakistan lying in wait later this summer, there will be relief that the x-ray – the result of a blow from Kusal Perera while fielding at silly point – revealed nothing sinister.Pradeep’s zestful display brought him three wickets in all, a shooter accounting for Joe Root, who risked ricking his back on his return to the pavilion as he turned round frequently to watch his demise on the big screen, and a hack across the line by Jonny Bairstow that was a throwback to earlier times. Alex Hales, 41 not out, stood firm but Pradeep would have removed him as well, on 19, if Dimuth Karunaratne had clung to a low chance to his left at second slip and again on 39, shortly before the close, when he glanced Pradeep down the leg side only for Dinesh Chandimal to grass the chance.A Lord’s Test Saturday had swung loyally towards England in the morning, as a place of such ingrained traditions must presumably feel obliged to do when they are Trooping the Colour a few miles down the road for the Queen’s 90th birthday.Sri Lanka’s visions at start of play of conceding more than 400 in the first innings and then winning the Test, as they did at The Oval in their Muttiah Muralitharan-inspired 1998 victory, would have been encouraged by reaching the close on the second day 162 runs to the good and Karunaratne the only casualty.But by lunch, they were obliterated: six down and still trailing by 198, Kusal Mendis, Kaushal Silva and Angelo Mathews all dispatched in the first 7.3 overs as England’s pace attack regained the initiative.Chris Woakes had been the most insistent of England’s attack on the previous evening and that was enough for him to start the day alongside Stuart Broad. There was enough in the air to encourage the bowlers that it would be a more even contest and they pounded a good length – a fuller length than on the previous day – from the outset.Woakes’ first ball of the previous day had brought about the Bairstow howler – and more critical examination of his wicketkeeping role. This time Woakes enjoyed immediate success, winning an lbw as he rammed a delivery down the slope into Mendis’ pads.Silva failed to add to his overnight 79, his edge to Bairstow in Broad’s third over of the morning extending a remarkable record in which he has been caught at the wicket in all nine of his Test innings in England. Repetition around off stump has rarely been more obviously rewarded.England’s energy also extended to Bairstow. When Mathews thick-edged Broad to third man, Hales and Root, giving chase, were shocked to find a red-headed retriever tearing past them and diving full-length in wicketkeeping pads to save the boundary. Such chases are part of Bairstow’s make-up and his pleasure in mildly embarrassing two of his team-mates was evident.Mathews’ pugnacity was needed to restore Sri Lanka’s ambition, but he was defeated by extra bounce from Woakes, going wide on the crease, and Root, quite close at second slip, held a good catch. It was a delivery that encapsulated Woakes’ improvement, a bowler of good habits and decent action now capable of something a little more unsettling.Chandimal was equally uncertain, beginning with an inside-edged four against Woakes and almost scooped up at second slip by Root when Anderson made an unaccustomed late arrival into the attack.It was not long before Chandimal fell, too, lbw to a fullish delivery from Steven Finn and unsuccessfully reviewing in the hope that the ball might have faded down the slope past leg stump. Finn also looked more eager than on the previous day and the wicket of Lahiru Thirimanne completed a satisfying England morning, a poor uppish-drive which gave Root another catch.Root, England’s stand-in captain, endured a merry stand of 71 in 17 overs, against old ball and new, by Sri Lanka’s seventh-wicket pair of Perera and Rangana Herath. Perera, back in the Sri Lanka side after overturning drugs allegations, produced some typically emphatic blows and Herath offered good support, chancing his arm and indulging in some puffed-out cheeks fist-pumping with his partner with an air of mild relief.Root’s star fast bowlers were also having a wild mustang moment. Root wisely resisted a headstron g appeal from Broad to review a refused lbw appeal against Herath, and then was spoken to by the umpires regarding Anderson, who indulged in some behind-the-hands muttering at slip (always a sign of trouble afoot).Around the time Cook collected his diagnosis, Sri Lanka’s lower order crumbled. Broad caused Herath to chop on, Perera was caught behind off a bottom edge, attempting to pull, Suranga Lakmal edged Anderson low to second slip, and Woakes, who had followed his highest Test score with a stand-out bowling display, took his third wicket when Eranga edged the first ball of his spell to Vince at third slip.When Anderson dismissed Perera the Anderson-Broad new-ball combination became the most prolific opening partnership in history, overhauling the 493 collected by Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis and ahead of other notables on the list: Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh, Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie, and Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock.Those wickets have come at five-runs more per wicket – roughly 26 to 21 – but they are all in the book, Anderson and Broad both stand in the top three in the ICC Test bowling rankings and how England will miss them when they are gone. Of Cook, the same was evidently true.

Sam Hain was instrumental in Birmingham ending a run of three straight defeats and keeping alive their hopes of a quarter-final place in the NatWest Blast

ECB Reporters Network17-Jul-2016
ScorecardSam Hain continued his excellent limited-overs form•Getty ImagesBirmingham put their NatWest t20 Blast campaign back on track after three straight defeats with a 28-run victory over Leicestershire at Edgbaston.The Bears’ 186 for four was built on an opening stand of 125 inside 13 overs by Sam Hain, who scored 79 off 52 deliveries, and Ian Bell, who made a 35-ball 57.While those two were together the Bears looked set to total over 200 but the Foxes, led by Clint McKay’s one for 16 off four overs, fought back well to leave a target around par on a good batting pitch.But though a string of Foxes batsmen got a start, none played the decisive innings the team needed as they fell short on 158 for nine.A Bears attack including Keith Barker for the first time in the competition this season kept taking wickets at important times to reassert theirqualification bid and extinguish the Foxes’.After the visitors won the toss, Hain and Bell began in measured fashion, with the latter still to score after two overs, before accelerating past 60 in the sixth over.The century partnership arrived in the 12th over, both openers having taken advantage of a short boundary to clear the ropes on the off-side.Hain was first to his half-century, from 36 balls, Bell’s following from 32, but the latter’s dismissal after striking four fours and four sixes in his 57, edging Rob Taylor behind, signalled a sharp drop in momentum.Bell’s wicket was quickly followed by that of Matt Wade, on his home debut, as the Australian fell lbw to his countryman McKay for five.When Hain sought another six – his third of the innings to go with nine fours – off Cameron Delport but found only the hands of Ben Raine at deep extra-cover, three wickets had fallen for 26 runs in 18 balls.Laurie Evans perished in similar fashion to Hain and although Rikki Clarke (24 not out) landed a couple of hefty blows, a skilful final over from McKay sent the Foxes into the mid-innings break in perky mood.The Foxes reply started briskly with Mark Cosgrove and Mark Pettini adding 36 in 27 balls before the latter pulled Oliver Hannon-Dalby to Jeetan Patel at deep mid-wicket.Delport’s 18-ball 20 included an audacious reverse-swept six off Josh Poysden but the South African perished attempting a repeat off Ateeq Javid.As the required run-rate rose, greater risks had to be taken. Cosgrove (42 from 29 balls) hoisted Patel to long off, Lewis Hill charged the same bowler, missed, and was adroitly stumped by Wade and when Farhaan Behardien lifted Clarke to long-off all that remained in the Foxes’ locker was some futile swishing.

Liverpool's disappointing campaign has meant that if the Reds start next season poorly, Jurgen Klopp's position at the club could be called into question, Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed.

What's going on with Liverpool?

A recent resurgence in form saw Liverpool enter the race for a top-four spot, but a draw at home to Aston Villa has meant that Champions League qualification looks unlikely.

Klopp's side challenged for a quadruple last season, but their level dropped massively this campaign, as they disappointed in the League and every cup competition.

Liverpool have won nearly every possible major trophy under Klopp in what has been a highly successful era, but Agbonlahor has controversially told TalkSPORT that he could see the German being dismissed if they do not perform well at the start of next season.

"Look at their season, it's been a bad season for Liverpool and if they start the season off badly next season, I wouldn't be surprised if Jurgen Klopp got the sack, because this season, Liverpool's level was not good enough," he stated.

Should Liverpool be worried?

Their recent resurgence before the draw with Villa saw Liverpool win seven league matches in a row, and the return of the injured Luis Diaz has allowed the Reds to start firing in attack again.

Brighton midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is reportedly nearing a move to Anfield, and with Roberto Firmino and James Milner among the players departing this summer, a busy window is expected for the club.

Failing to qualify for the Champions League could be a big blow, and navigating a fixture list with Europa League football can prove tricky for any side if they do not have strength in depth.

Given all he has achieved at the club since his arrival in 2015, it seems unlikely that Klopp would be sacked by Liverpool even if they start poorly next season, and the expectation should be to compete with the likes of Manchester City and Arsenal at the top of the table again.

There may be some concern about the form of Virgil van Dijk this season. The Dutch defender has been criticised at times during the campaign, and Klopp may consider finding a successor to the 32-year-old.

A lot of work needs to be done in the transfer window, and the level of expenditure this summer will be down to the club, not Klopp. If Klopp lands his main transfer targets, Liverpool will almost certainly improve on what has been a difficult campaign.

There was relief mixed with caution in the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s reaction to the ECB’s decision to send England to Bangladesh next month

Mohammad Isam26-Aug-20162:39

Isam: More caution than relief for Bangladesh

There was relief mixed with caution in the Bangladesh Cricket Board’s reaction to the ECB’s decision to send the England team to Bangladesh next month. England’s one-day team is scheduled to arrive in Dhaka on September 30 for the three-match series in early October before the two Tests later that month in Chittagong and Mirpur.It was a nervous wait for the BCB, players, fans and journalists on late Thursday night and early Friday morning when the BCB was informed of the decision following which came the ECB’s media release. The BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury said they welcomed ECB’s decision but vigilance over the next five weeks and during the tour will be more crucial.”We welcome England’s decision and we thank the team for their decision,” Chowdhury told ESPNcricinfo. “We held meetings with the ECB delegation earlier this month where the security plan was shown to them in detail. At the same time, the government gave them assurance that the highest level of security will be provided to them.”Having said that, the ECB will constantly monitor the situation in Bangladesh till they arrive so we have to remain vigilant and continue our security standards. We will be in constant touch with them during this period.”The BCB, in conjunction with the Bangladesh government, provided high security to the teams during the World T20 in 2014, which was just after a spate of election-related violence. When Australia pulled out of their tour last year and then the Under-19 World Cup, the teams also got extra security in four cities across the country.BCB president Nazmul Hassan said that the board will also provide security to players’ family members, journalists and fans travelling from the UK for the series. The Barmy Army, which reportedly contacted the BCB showing interest in coming to Bangladesh, will also have their Bangladesh visas fast-tracked, according to Hassan.”We will make sure that not just the players but their family members, fans and the reporters will get security in the stadium and hotel. They have to inform us where they are staying and contact us. We believe that there won’t be any problem with regards to this England tour.”The Barmy Army had contacted us and we immediately told the Bangladesh high commission to ensure that their visas aren’t delayed. We also asked for a list of those who are coming so that we can help them out.”

Will the wait goes on to see who will be named as the next permanent manager at Tottenham Hotspur, the current belief is that Feyenoord boss, Arne Slot, is the leading candidate for the position, after guiding the Eredivisie side to a shock league triumph this season.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, the 44-year-old is seemingly the "frontrunner" to be Antonio Conte's long-term successor, with chairman Daniel Levy having handed the reins to Ryan Mason on a short-term basis in recent weeks.

While reportedly not related to the Lilywhites' interest in Slot, recent speculation in Holland has suggested that Spurs could aim to prise one of the Dutchman's trusted lieutenants from Rotterdam in the form of Orkun Kokcu, with the 22-year-old having captained his current side to glory this season.

As per Dutch outlet, 1908.nl, 'initial contacts' have already taken place regarding a move for the promising midfielder, with the piece also going on to note that the Netherlands-born, Turkey international is valued at around €40m (£35m).

The 5 foot 9 ace has seemingly been something of a long-term target for those at N17, with reports back in 2021 having named both Tottenham – and rivals Arsenal – as potential suitors for the youngster.

What is Orkun Kokcu's style of play?

The highly-rated "playmaker" – as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig – could well provide a real creative spark to Tottenham's current midfield ranks next term, having created nine big chances in 31 league games this season, far more than the likes of Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (five), Oliver Skipp (zero) and Rodrigo Bentancur (zero).

The one-time Groningen youth ace – who has 12 goals and five assists to his name this term in all competitions – could well fill the creative void left behind by Christian Eriksen in the recent past, with the Danish maestro having departed for Inter Milan in January 2020 after almost seven years in England.

During that lengthy stay with Spurs, the current Manchester United ace was routinely the man to unlock the opposition defence having chipped in with 90 assists in 305 games across all fronts, while also scoring 69 goals in that time.

As journalist Dean Jones stated last summer, the club "haven't replaced Eriksen's profile and creativity", hence the need to acquire a figure such as Kokcu who can prove a dream heir to the experienced Dane.

The young "leader" – as hailed by Kulig – no doubt possesses notable similarities to that of Eriksen, with his key traits having been described as his "passing, vision, [and] creativity", in the words of Kulig, while the ex-Spurs man has been lauded for his "intelligence" by pundit Paul Scholes.

Equally, that likeness is shown by the duo's forward-thinking midfield approach, as Kokcu has averaged 12.33 progressive passes per 90, as per FBref, while Eriksen is not too far behind having averaged 7.83 per for the same metric – albeit while performing in one of Europe's top five leagues.

With former Feyenoord boss Jaap Stam having previously suggested that the 20-cap international has "certainly got the ability to make that step to the Premier League", Levy could well pull off a real masterstroke by bringing in Kokcu alongside Slot this summer.

In doing so, the wait to find an ideal successor to former star, Eriksen, could well be brought to an end…

Manchester City are set to let Joao Cancelo leave this summer, but Bayern Munich will not trigger their €70m (£60m) option to buy the full-back, according to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

Which Man City players could leave this summer?

Man City have a number of first-team players who could be set to leave this summer, and Ilkay Gundogan is still yet to commit to a new contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of June.

Pep Guardiola "desperately" wants the German to stay, according to Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth, however, there are several teams vying for his signature, including Arsenal and Barcelona, with the latter club viewing him as their top target.

According to reports from Spain, Aymeric Laporte is looking to join a club where he will be guaranteed more regular game time, while 90min report City will not stand in Bernardo Silva's way, should the attacking midfielder ask to leave in the summer.

Another player who could be on the move is Cancelo, with Romano recently taking to Twitter to detail that the Portugal international has no future at the Etihad Stadium. The transfer guru said:

"Understand Manchester City are ready to sell João Cancelo this summer. He will return from Bayern, €70m buy option won’t be triggered.

"Arsenal appreciate Cancelo, he’s one of the names in the list. Barca have genuine interest since January but… depends on FFP."

Should Man City let Joao Cancelo leave?

Despite being hailed as "exceptional" by Guardiola, the manager allowed the Portuguese defender to join Bayern on loan in the January transfer window, having made a poor start to the season, losing his place in the starting XI.

The 29-year-old was benched for the games against Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers, which Man City went on to win, and they have continued to impress since his departure, still on course to win the treble.

It was a bold move from Guardiola to allow the £250k-per-week star to leave in January, but his side have not missed him by any means, and they are thriving in a 3-2-4-1 system, which the manager implemented to great success against Real Madrid in the Champion League semi-final.

Given that the Sky Blues have looked like a much-improved side since January, it could be wise to look to cash in on Cancelo this summer, but they should be hesitant about strengthening a direct rival, and possibly avoid selling him to Arsenal.